I am VERY behind on my email, and just read this *checks watch* one month late, BUT I love that I read KT's newsletter right before this and got to see your Romy and Michelle adventure from both sides. Also R&M forever.
I also recently finished Make the Season Bright and was INCENSED at The Katies co-opting Brighton's song for Lola! I wanted more comeuppance for them and some serious financial compensation for Brighton.
the book was so cute and I loved all the music and the snowy, Christmas-y vibes, so I don't want to only focus on the litigation of it all but TRULY I needed the Katies to eat shit in a court of law and also the court of public opinion
I'm reading Georgia Clark's Most Wonderful right now. One of the FMC has created a show called Sweet that is SVH in television form! It reminded me how much I enjoyed those books. :-)
A) that class sounds AMAZING and that Byron quote is a hilarimazing find and I can't decide whether it'd be cooler if Taylor did or didn't know about it
B) I think Dear Sister was actually my first SVH!! I was like 5 and had no idea what was going on but Bruce Patman touches her breast IIRC and I was SCANDALIZED (read: totally confused and into it) and also I think I may have some extra SVHs at my parents' house (I used to buy lots of them on ebay to complete my collection) so I'll check and see if there's anything you want! I have a *near*-complete collection of them but right now they're all in garbage bags because my mom finally tossed them out of her house this year when they turned my old bedroom into an office, and my house doesn't have anywhere good to put them, but you can see how beautiful they are all together: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-DqNERSrXI/
Dahlia you were the EXACT person I was hoping would respond to this post, like a bird call meant just for you, because I KNEW about your epic SVH collection!!! I've def seen you talk about the books before so I always associate them with you. The salaciousness of SVH is really something because sometimes a WILD thing happens (in an earlier book, Bruce Patman *also* unties Jessica's bathing suit and tries to get her to flash everybody!) but then they're also so sanitized and sexless, it's quite something to behold.
It's so strange and they always involve Bruce Patman but still neither girl ever gets past second base in high school that I can recall. Truly a fascinating era for YA literature!
DYING at the Harlequin rejection. The fact that they had an intern hand sign them! For that personal touch!! And I still have my Emily books in a box somewhere - I really imprinted on that gothy lil poetess as a tween.
I hope you get to reread DEAR SISTER, from what I remember it’s a banger.
The category discourse set me back to my old Anne Stuart and Beverly Sommers! Also maybe Harlequin will hear how much we want Temptation Blaze back :(
Lisa Frank: It was interesting how much of it was about a toxic work environment that is common in several places and not about her defrauding the small brands at the end? I think that was a bigger story. Also, it was an interesting choice for ex-husband to come off all "I'm open, hey" and a difficult guy but not that bad... And then to see how he acted at the wedding, you're kind of like, No, you are a true a-hole!
I read SO much Anne Stuart! She was one of my mom's favorites. I admit I haven't even watched the very last episode of the Lisa Frank documentary yet because I really did have to sit with the third episode that went so hard on the divorce for a minute before I could continue, but that part does sound terrible. The ex-husband also flaring up while insisting he doesn't have a temper was like, textbook.
As someone who listens to a playlist comprised entirely of "muddle through somehow" versions of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I need the double Long December playlist. I think Christmas and the end of year needs a little melancholy.
Probably my favorite line from the Simpsons is when Moe the bartender says "That is the stupidest story I ever heard, and I've read the entire Sweet Valley High series." I haven't read every SVH book, but I have read every one owned by my elementary school in 1994. There's just something so alluring about them!
truly one of the most melancholy Christmas songs! I definitely didn't read all of the books (I was actually more of a Babysitter's Club kind of girl) but it's still been fun to take this trip down memory lane.
I tore through those SVH books as a kid! I remember the one you talked about. Remember the ones where someone basically tried to kill Elizabeth and take over her identity, as if no one would notice?? SVH was truly a ridiculous soap opera in book form.
I am VERY behind on my email, and just read this *checks watch* one month late, BUT I love that I read KT's newsletter right before this and got to see your Romy and Michelle adventure from both sides. Also R&M forever.
it's one of my favorite movies for sure!!
I also recently finished Make the Season Bright and was INCENSED at The Katies co-opting Brighton's song for Lola! I wanted more comeuppance for them and some serious financial compensation for Brighton.
the book was so cute and I loved all the music and the snowy, Christmas-y vibes, so I don't want to only focus on the litigation of it all but TRULY I needed the Katies to eat shit in a court of law and also the court of public opinion
I'm reading Georgia Clark's Most Wonderful right now. One of the FMC has created a show called Sweet that is SVH in television form! It reminded me how much I enjoyed those books. :-)
I've had that book on my list!
A) that class sounds AMAZING and that Byron quote is a hilarimazing find and I can't decide whether it'd be cooler if Taylor did or didn't know about it
B) I think Dear Sister was actually my first SVH!! I was like 5 and had no idea what was going on but Bruce Patman touches her breast IIRC and I was SCANDALIZED (read: totally confused and into it) and also I think I may have some extra SVHs at my parents' house (I used to buy lots of them on ebay to complete my collection) so I'll check and see if there's anything you want! I have a *near*-complete collection of them but right now they're all in garbage bags because my mom finally tossed them out of her house this year when they turned my old bedroom into an office, and my house doesn't have anywhere good to put them, but you can see how beautiful they are all together: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-DqNERSrXI/
Dahlia you were the EXACT person I was hoping would respond to this post, like a bird call meant just for you, because I KNEW about your epic SVH collection!!! I've def seen you talk about the books before so I always associate them with you. The salaciousness of SVH is really something because sometimes a WILD thing happens (in an earlier book, Bruce Patman *also* unties Jessica's bathing suit and tries to get her to flash everybody!) but then they're also so sanitized and sexless, it's quite something to behold.
It's so strange and they always involve Bruce Patman but still neither girl ever gets past second base in high school that I can recall. Truly a fascinating era for YA literature!
DYING at the Harlequin rejection. The fact that they had an intern hand sign them! For that personal touch!! And I still have my Emily books in a box somewhere - I really imprinted on that gothy lil poetess as a tween.
I hope you get to reread DEAR SISTER, from what I remember it’s a banger.
Wait you mean . . . Editorial was the name of an intern? I thought at least I'd been rejected by Ms. Department herself . . .
I mean, you framed it for a reason!
Ooh, yes, do While You Were Sleeping! One of my top favorites of the era, along with It Could Happen to You.
The category discourse set me back to my old Anne Stuart and Beverly Sommers! Also maybe Harlequin will hear how much we want Temptation Blaze back :(
Lisa Frank: It was interesting how much of it was about a toxic work environment that is common in several places and not about her defrauding the small brands at the end? I think that was a bigger story. Also, it was an interesting choice for ex-husband to come off all "I'm open, hey" and a difficult guy but not that bad... And then to see how he acted at the wedding, you're kind of like, No, you are a true a-hole!
I read SO much Anne Stuart! She was one of my mom's favorites. I admit I haven't even watched the very last episode of the Lisa Frank documentary yet because I really did have to sit with the third episode that went so hard on the divorce for a minute before I could continue, but that part does sound terrible. The ex-husband also flaring up while insisting he doesn't have a temper was like, textbook.
Yes, I have one of those ex-husbands with the "Who has a temper?" petsonality. Oooof.
When you've seen that kind of thing before, you can clock it instantly.
Well now I need to know your top song (I’m sorry that this is what I’m focusing on from your newsletter efforts but I’m NOSY ok?! 😂)
lol one day I'll tell. I need to let the embarrassment inside of me die down a bit.
As someone who listens to a playlist comprised entirely of "muddle through somehow" versions of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I need the double Long December playlist. I think Christmas and the end of year needs a little melancholy.
Probably my favorite line from the Simpsons is when Moe the bartender says "That is the stupidest story I ever heard, and I've read the entire Sweet Valley High series." I haven't read every SVH book, but I have read every one owned by my elementary school in 1994. There's just something so alluring about them!
truly one of the most melancholy Christmas songs! I definitely didn't read all of the books (I was actually more of a Babysitter's Club kind of girl) but it's still been fun to take this trip down memory lane.
1. I think if you check the records, you’ve been working really hard and therefore HAVE earned that little treat you reference??
2. deeply deeply obsessed with the person referencing My Own Private Idaho in Taylor Swift class
3. how might one file an Emotional Distress legal pleading against your two-versions-of-“A Long December” playlist
this newsletter cannot provide legal advice, sorry!!! 😂
I tore through those SVH books as a kid! I remember the one you talked about. Remember the ones where someone basically tried to kill Elizabeth and take over her identity, as if no one would notice?? SVH was truly a ridiculous soap opera in book form.
whoa I haven't gotten to that plotline yet, but now I can't wait!